Objective
The mammalian intestine is colonized by trillions of microorganisms that are critical for the establishment of tissue homeostasis. Consequently, the immune system has developed strategies to maintain a mutualistic relation with the microbiota while stopping microbial spread. However, inappropriate function of the immune cells and/or alteration of the commensal composition can lead to inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, like inflammatory bowel disease.
Among the components of the intestinal immune system, NKT cells represent a predominant population with striking immune-modulatory properties. NKT cells specifically recognize and are activated by lipid antigens presented by the MHC-I-like molecule CD1. Upon antigen encounter NKT cells can induce the downstream activation of both innate (NK cells) and adaptive (B cells) immune cells. In line with the abundance and diversity of microbial-derived lipids present in the gut, numerous studies have proposed a role for NKT cells and CD1-lipid presentation in the modulation of mucosal immunity both in homeostasis and disease. However, the features of intestinal NKT cells and the mechanisms by which they exert their immunomodulatory functions remain poorly explored.
This proposal aims to unravel the cellular and molecular mechanisms that mediate the role of NKT cells in the regulation of mucosal immunity. We will use a combination of flow-cytometry, immunofluorescence and microscopy to build a comprehensive picture of NKT cell distribution and phenotype within gastro-intestinal compartments. With this established we will analyse the role of NKT cells in intestinal homeostasis by deciphering their contribution to the generation and quality of intestinal B cell responses. These studies will provide a better understanding of the factors that modulate intestinal immunity, with the potential to improve therapies for patients suffering from intestinal inflammatory diseases and possibly a broader range of disorders.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- medical and health sciences health sciences inflammatory diseases
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine gastroenterology inflammatory bowel disease
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules lipids
- medical and health sciences basic medicine immunology autoimmune diseases
- medical and health sciences basic medicine physiology homeostasis
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IEF
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Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Coordinator
WC2R 2LS London
United Kingdom
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.